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Warm up with an oatmilk honey latte!

 

With fall rolling in and the nights getting cooler, you may find yourself wanting to warm up with something hot and delicious. The early-risers among our bee keepers will enjoy this simple and easy to make oatmilk honey latte! All you need is:

  • Your favorite coffee (you can use caffeinated OR decaf!)
  • ¾ cup Oatmilk
  • 1-2 tablespoons Honey (or however sweet you prefer!)
  • A pinch of salt
  • Cinnamon

Heat up your honey, oatmilk, and salt in a jar in the microwave. Shake until foamy, and pour over your coffee. Dust with cinnamon, then enjoy!

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A Brief History of Beekeeping

 

In honor of National Honey Month, let’s take a look back on the history of beekeeping, and how honey harvesting has evolved!

Beekeepers have played an essential role in honey production for at least 10,000 years! All around the world, archaeologists have found ancient methods for beekeeping and honey production, including hives made of straw and unbaked clay. Ancient Egyptians were some of the earliest pioneers of beekeeping, where honey was not just a delicacy, but a symbol of wealth and power. In fact, when King Tut’s tomb was discovered, pots of honey, often used to coat and cure berries, were alongside the ancient Egyptian pharaoh’s mummy. Even thousands of years later, the honey and berries remained preserved, reportedly still holding onto their sweet scent.

In medieval times, beekeeping was most often performed by the church and aristocracy. Beeswax served as an important aspect in producing candles, while fermented honey was a key ingredient in mead, a popular drink in regions where grapes could not be grown for wine.

Using varying methods including hollowed-out trees and skeps (a similar practice to the Egyptians, using baskets woven from twigs and straw, coated in mud), monks and clergy-members were in charge of tending to bees and their hives. For many of these religious beekeepers, their bees came to be seen as role models. For instance, monks often imagined a “chastity” in their worker bees that they took upon themselves to devote themselves fully to the good of the community.

During the 18th century, beekeeping transitioned into a science methodology. European natural philosophers, including an entomologist who specialized in honey bees named François Huber, were among the first to observe bees within their habitat. Although he developed blindness in his early adulthood, Huber continued studying bee colonies with the help of his wife, Marie, and assistant François Burnens. With his companions, Huber was an early creator of what we now recognize as a bee hive: building a box where each comb had glass sides to observe the bees at work. Some of Huber’s most famous scientific studies include confirming that a colony consists of one queen who is the mother of all workers and drones in the hive, and proving that bees use their antennae to communicate. Huber is widely regarded as “the father of modern bee science,” and his publication, “New Observations on Bees,” contains many of the basic scientific truths of the biology of honeybees.

Our bees may be the reason we have honey, but it’s because of beekeepers around the world and throughout history that we get to enjoy the sweet savory treat.

For more information on the history of beekeeping, visit:

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Great Lakes Bee Co. celebrates grand opening and 50th anniversary of Hasselman’s Honey

 

On Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, Great Lakes Bee Company hosted a grand opening at its new storefront in Old Rink Plaza in Fremont in celebration of Honey Harvest Month this September and the 50th anniversary of Hasselman’s Honey.

In recent years, backyard beekeeping has been on the rise, not just in Michigan, but nationwide. Great Lakes Bee Company in Fremont has been on the forefront of promoting the importance of beekeeping in the region and how it benefits Michigan’s economy and agriculture. Each May, bees from GLBC return home to Fremont, Michigan, after pollinating almond crops in California and rebuilding of hives in Georgia. When they’re back home, they forage on Newaygo County’s basswood, alfalfa, star thistle, and West Michigan flowers to create 150,000 pounds of Michigan’s Hasselman’s Honey.

“For us, it all started in 1974 with Larry Hasselman and his hobby for beekeeping,” said Great Lakes Bee Company owner Genji Leclair. “Larry founded Hasselman’s Honey after growing his passion and curiosity for bees, creating a distinctively delicious tasting honey. Since establishing Great Lakes Bee Company in 2016, it has been my mission to maintain Larry’s honey legacy and preserve the sources and processes that he has used since the 1970s, while also striving to produce only the best honey for our customers.”

During the event, Larry Hasselman shared how his honey business “accidently happened” with a Christmas gift of beekeeping items from his parents and the with bees would come later that spring. That spring Hasselman received two packages of bees and within a a couple months a majority of the bees in his two hives were dead.

“From then on, I called it the hobby that got out of hand,” laughed Hasselman.

From there, Hasselman grew his beekeeping hobby to 500 hives and began shipping “Hasselman’s Honey” throughout Michigan and Chicago.

“I was at the right place at the right time with the right people,” he said.

In addition to honey production, bees from Newaygo County also pollinate various crops including: almonds (January); apricots, sweet cherries, peaches and plums (April); tart cherries, pears, blueberries and apples (May).

“Bees play a significant role in our region’s and nation’s agriculture,” said Leclair. “By pollinating many crops used for animal feed, bees contribute to a third of the world’s food production. They are also essential in helping to maintain biodiversity and preserving our ecosystem that we depend on to survive. At Great Lakes Bee Company, we help educate the public about the irreplaceable value of honey bees to our environment.”

In addition to Hasselman’s Honey and supplying bees to beekeepers, GLBC sells beekeeping equipment and products made from their beeswax including candles and raw wax.

During the grand opening event, GLBC owner Genji Leclair and local representatives from the Fremont Chamber of Commerce and River Country Chamber of Commerce of Newaygo County hosted  a ribbon cutting signifying the opening of the new store. Additionally, Fremont City Manager Todd Blake, presented us with a City Council resolution;  while Kelly Lively from Sen. Gary Peters’ office and District Staff Assistant William Campbell from Congressman John Moolenaar’s office each presented a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition to GLBC and Hasselman’s Honey.  Also in attendance were Jodi Gruner from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, State Rep. Joseph Fox; and Mary Judnich from Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s office.

“September is National Honey Harvest Month so it’s an exciting time for us in the bee business,” said Leclair. “We are excited to welcome the public to our new store, where you can learn more about bees, beekeeping and buy our own beekeeping supplies and honey-related products.”

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September in the Hive

 

This September is extra sweet … not only is it National Honey Month, but we’re also celebrating the 50th anniversary of Hasselman’s Honey!

Initiated by the National Honey Board in the U.S. in 1989, National Honey Month is a time to celebrate bees, honey, and beekeepers – just in time for harvest. People throughout the world depend on honey bees and their role in pollinating the ecosystem. Did you know about one-third of the average person’s diet in the United States is derived from insect-pollinated plants, and honey bees are responsible for about 80 percent of that process? It’s true! Without honey bees, we wouldn’t have apples, cabbage, lemons, onions, or watermelon, and other fresh crops.

Because of beekeepers, honey production continues to thrive. Rounding out the harvest season this September, there’s plenty for beekeepers to pay attention to in their hives, and some might start thinking ahead to the winter months.

If you’re harvesting honey, we recommend extracting your supers as soon as possible to avoid wax moth and small hive beetle larva, which can damage your hives. Beekeepers should also monitor for extra space in your supers, as any that are light with nectar will create more space for wax moths and small hive beetles to invade. Getting your supers extracted also lets you set them up back outside as a community feeder to both let bees build their stores, and get your combs cleaned out for winter storage. You should put these far away from the hives, or freeze them to reintroduce to the hives when needed.

Enjoy the last few weeks of summer with your bees! Thanks to you and your bees, beekeepers help make the world a sweeter place. Join us during Fremont’s Harvest Festival Parade on Sept. 26 as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hasselman’s Honey and Fremont’s OG Beekeeper, Larry Hasselman!

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Honey Lemonade: Simple and Refreshing!

 

August isn’t just the hottest part of summer— it also marks some of the last honey harvesting before winter! If you’re looking to beat the heat and make the most out of the honey you’ve collected this summer, this lemonade recipe is for you! And It’s not just refreshing— it’s sugar free!

  • 1 cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup honey (can be adjusted for more sweetness!)
  • 5 cups cold water

Mix your honey and lemon juice in a pitcher until thoroughly combined, then add cold water and stir. Keep chilled and serve over ice. Add sliced lemons for extra flavor and flare!

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Bourbon and Honey: Breaking Bourbon raves over New Holland’s Dragon’s Milk Origin Honey Barrel Bourbon made with GLBC Honey

 

In a review by Breaking Bourbon, Nick Beiter shared his tasting experience of New Holland Brewing Company’s second release of Dragon’s Milk Origin Honey Barrel, which uses GLBC’s Hasselman’s Honey.

“When combined with honey barrel finishing, the result is a whiskey that’s dense and sweet, with ample honey-influence throughout,” wrote Beiter. “Dragon’s Milk’s base bourbon flavor profile still manages to cut through the dense honey to create a complementary base. By that measure, it’s exactly what someone might expect from a honey finished bourbon, leaning heavily into the honey.”

According to Beiter, Dragon’s Milk Origin Honey Barrel, which debuted in April 2023, is set to be an annual, limited release from now on with bottles made available exclusively at New Holland’s Holland locations.

“To construct this small batch release, New Holland Spirits partnered with Great Lakes Bee Company to source their Hasselman’s Honey. Bourbon barrels were dumped and re-filled with honey to age, and then dumped again and refilled with Dragon’s Milk Origin Bourbon to finish before being batched and bottled.”

Read the full review from Breaking Bourbon’s Nick Beiter, here.

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Beeswax: it’s the bee’s knees!

 

Have you ever noticed how often honey and beeswax appear in your healthcare products? Just like the honeycomb in your hives, beeswax can serve as the foundation for improving your health, with some surprising benefits.

Beeswax has many unique properties that make it the perfect addition to your skincare routine. A natural moisturizer, beeswax can repair dry skin and fight against premature signs of aging. Like Honey, beeswax has a potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which gently exfoliate your skin to keep it soft and smooth.

Pain relief, swelling, and inflammation are other issues that beeswax can help prevent. Even those with sensitive skin will be happy to hear that beeswax is gentle enough to be used directly on the skin. If you’re feeling extra crafty, we recommend trying this handmade beeswax lotion recipe!

Beeswax Lotion

  • 1/2 cup beeswax, freshly grated or beeswax pellets
  • 1 cup organic olive oil
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon Vitamin E oil
  • 30 drops of your favorite essential oil

Using a double boiler or heat-safe bowl place pint jar in the pot of simmering water. Melt beeswax, olive oil, and coconut oil until melted and blended. Remove from heat and cool for 15 minutes.  Add Vitamin E and your favorite essential oil. Stir until blended and pour into 2 oz containers or leave in a pint jar.

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August in the Hive

 

August is a big month for your bees! As the summer grows hotter, asters and other wildflowers create an abundance of pollen and nectar for the colony. This will help the bees as they start to prepare for winter, and you can support them in this process too!

This time of year, beekeepers should be checking hives for mites and other pests. Varroa mite populations increase in hives during the summer and hit a peak just as honeybee colonies are laying eggs and raising brood for the winter. To fight back against a mite population in your beehive, take precaution and follow the Honey Bee Health Coalition’s Varroa Management Decision Tool.

The most important thing we recommend for beekeepers in late summer is to help keep your bees cool. During the hot summer months, keep water available at all times, such as in bird baths, tubs, or other shallow containers. Even a simple bowl of water with rocks and sticks can be extremely helpful for those busy bees!

If your bees are happy, the keeper is happy!

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Getting the most out of your honey and beeswax

 

There’s no such thing as “too much” of a good thing—but if you find yourself with extra honey or beeswax after your harvest, here are some ideas to use up your supply while freshening up your life!

If you’re hosting a dinner party, or looking to liven up your hors d’oeuvres, try adding some honey! Next time you’re thinking about appetizers, pair your honey with soft fresh cheese such as chèvre or brie alongside jam, nuts, and toasted bread. If you prefer to skip straight to the entrée, sweeten up your tomato sauce! Instead of heaps of sugar to your sauce to cut the acidic bite of a tomato, use honey for a healthier sauce that still holds onto rich flavors. Couple your sweet charcuterie board and pasta sauce with a crisp white wine, and you have a match made in heaven!

You might’ve heard that beeswax is “nature’s most versatile product”. With your leftover beeswax, you have plenty of options to use it around the house or in your garden! Season cast iron pans, condition your cutting boards and wooden spoons, or prevent rust by coating your garden tools in wax. You can even make your own beeswax lip balm and body butter to treat yourself to some self-care!

Honey and beeswax are as versatile as they come! Make the most out of what you have and experiment with more sweetness in your recipes and around your household.

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Honey as a health benefit? Absolutely!

 

If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and tasty way to improve your health, look no further than your bee hives! Since ancient times, honey has been appreciated for its medicinal uses alongside its reputation as a natural sweetener. There are a number of nutritional benefits from adding honey to your day-to-day routine, including the management of your blood pressure and cholesterol.

Many antioxidants that are found in honey are useful in defending our cells from damage that can cause premature aging, type-2 diabetes, and heart disease. Honey may increase adiponectin levels, a hormone that reduces inflammation and improves blood sugar regulation, while also regulating blood platelet coagulation. This activity in the cardiovascular system means honey is an excellent deterrent against heart disease and other cardiac disorders.

Not only is honey rich in antioxidants, but it also possesses prebiotic properties, which create healthy gut bacteria that help break down food and absorb nutrients. These important aspects of honey contribute to a stronger immune system overall.

These only scratch the surface of health benefits that have been observed in honey! Start adding some to your tea or treat yourself to a spoonful every so often; if our ancestors could use honey medicinally, so can you!

Read more about the health benefits of honey in Health.com